Monday, February 10, 2014

Do I just host these kids for the food?

I still miss my little Korean girl, but it's getting easier day by day.  When I took her to the airport, we were spending the night at a hotel, paid by the international student program,
because my new Japanese student was arriving at 10 pm Sat night and Elly was leaving at 5:30 am Sun morning.  So, we arrived at the very lush Ault Hotel (very modern European flair) and checked into our separate rooms on the same floor along with roughly 10 million Colombian students leaving on that same 5:30 am flight. (Okay, perhaps 10 million is a bit of an exaggeration but that how it felt when they were running around in the hallways screaming.)   
 
Now, we all know what winter travel can be like in the northern hemisphere.  The 10 pm flight was delayed to 11 pm.  It was then delayed to 12:10; then 2 am; and finally it arrived at 3:15 am.   I tried to sleep in between, but it impossible with those 10 million Colombians I mentioned!  Then seeing as Elly had to check in for her flight (with the 10 million) at 3:30, I just stayed up. 
 
Let me just say that I certainly was in a good mood at that hour of the day!
 
I was allowed to sleep after that for 4 hours until breakfast and hitting the road.  And after a week, I think I'm finally caught up on my rest and things are going wonderfully.
 
Let me introduce you to my lovely new Japanese daughter, Nagisa -- tiny little beauty who does hip hop dance and loves music, shopping, the color pink and all things Disney (as well as a few sports).  She's my first true girlie-girl student.   

I've only one student this semester; the house is quieter and neater and, although I now have to live closer-to-the-bone, I'm enjoying it.  She's a wonderful kid:  so amazingly easy to live with, neat and quiet, thinks everything I cook is delicious, does the dishes without having to be told AND -- something virtually unheard of in the world of Asian students -- she does not leave a mess in the bathroom.  (I shall have to video tape her explanation of such so we can use it as a teaching aid for all future Asian students.) 

She came bearing little gifts from home for me -- 3 Furoshiki (Japanese fabric squares used to wrap gifts in), a warm undershirt and something that's always a favorite gift from my students -- weird and unusual food stuffs.  Look at it all!  Ain't it fun?  I could play a foodie version of Russian roulette!


From top right in the pretty fabric bag - tea; then ramen, dashi for making stock, a wee tin of macha, curry and beef stew flavoring cubes, powder for making Japanese tako; and top dead center, 2 packets of soba noodles.  Why are there angry warriors on the packaging?  I don't know; but I think it's hilarious.  I do hope though that they'll make me happy when I eat them.

Ahhhhh!  I see more more food adventures on the horizon!
 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

8 comments:

Grace @ Sense and Simplicity said...

That must have been such a sad day to say goodbye to your two Korean 'daughters'. What a wonderful experience for all of you. Does your Japanese student like k-pop like Girl's Generation. There's a whole world of song and dance out there for her if she does.

Bonnie said...

I always love reading about your house guests. It is a very generous thing you do opening your home to students. Bonnie

Anonymous said...

That is so nice what you do for the students coming and going in your home.

You must be a adopted Mom to them.

You must have nerves of steel with the music of to-day.

You must be really laid back lady like my daughter is.

I think it takes special people to do what you do.

I applaud you.

My daughter also can just get in
the youth group and fit in and they love her.

She is a Pastoral of the Church and she also writes drama at times, directs and sometimes is in the drama herself. I mean doe her to memorize pages and pages in the drama. Is amazing. She will be 50 next year.



So I also applaud my daughter.

I know it is a gift of love for you also.

I like to read at what is going in your blog. I find it very interesting.

Thanks for sharing.

TARYTERRE said...

What a mix of emotions you experienced. Sad to say goodbye, then hello. Sounds like you're in a good place right now with your new student. ENJOY!

Kay said...

You are an angel to host so many international students. They sure are lucky to have you take care of them. Interesting to hear that they don't keep the bathroom clean. My Japanese mother would bemoan the younger generation. She herself is a bathroom neatnik. She is meticulous about the bathrooms. Nagisa sounds like a delightful girl and so pretty too. I'm glad she is proving to be a polite, easy to live with kid.

I'm mostly known as 'MA' said...

It will be different having only one student this term. I too applaud you for giving these gals a chance to live with you . I didn't realize the great numbers of foreign exchange students. It's quite an opportunity for them and certainly a learning experience for you too.

Starting Over, Accepting Changes - Maybe said...

One door closes and another opens. This time though the view is neat. I hope this will be a fun year for both you and your student.

sabine ingerl said...

She's sweet and she is perfect! A daughter that leaves the bathroom in an acceptable condition is a rarity.
Have a good time together.

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